CMS published its final rule for emergency preparedness on Sept. 16, scheduled to go into effect 60 days after publication. A new ASCA report examines how the final rule affects ASCs.
Here are five things to know:
1. The final rule exempts ASCs from providing information about occupancy. Hospitals will continue to report on inpatient occupancy.
2. ASCs are required to create a process to cooperate with local, regional, state and federal efforts for emergency preparedness in their community. The final rule also requires ASCs to document efforts to connect with emergency preparedness officials and collaborate in planning efforts when available.
3. In the proposed rule, CMS required ASCs to make arrangements with other ASCs to send patients over in the case of an emergency. However, after ASCA expressed concerns during the comment period CMS withdrew the requirement as ASCs can just cancel cases and transfer patients to a higher care level if needed.
4. CMS requires ASCs to track patients and staff before and during an emergency, but they don't need to track patients after patients leave the facility. In the event a patient is transferred during the emergency or needs additional care, the ASC must document the receiving facility and on-duty staff who were relocated.
5. ASCs are required to complete a community mock disaster drill on an annual basis, despite ASCA's objections to this requirement. If there isn't a community mock disaster drill available for ASCs to participate in, they are required to conduct a facility-based disaster drill.
After the first year conducting the disaster drill, ASCs can conduct tabletop exercises instead.